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Labor Market Information - State of Connecticut Labor Situation
  State of Connecticut Labor Situation Last Updated: December 10th, 2025
CT nonfarm employment falls 5,700 in September; jobless rate (3.8%) held steady Connecticut Labor Situation - September 2025 PDF
WETHERSFIELD,  December 10, 2025 - Connecticut nonfarm industry payrolls decreased 5,700 jobs (-0.3%) in September 2025, to a level of 1,714,100, while the state's unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8% (preliminary, seasonally adjusted data) - for the fifth month in a row. Nonfarm employment in the state is now 4,500 (0.3%) positions higher than a year ago. The Connecticut August 2025 preliminary job increase of 900 was revised lower by 400 to a 500 job gain on the normal monthly revision. The September 2025 Connecticut jobless rate of 3.8% was stable for the fifth month in a row but is higher by six-tenths of one percent from a year ago (3.2%). Connecticut remains below the U.S. rate (currently 4.4% for September) for the 33rd consecutive month. This labor statistics release presents current estimated data from two different monthly surveys (businesses and household) produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in association with the states. The federal government shutdown has delayed the monthly labor statistics releases.

"Job growth has been slower in 2025 than in recent years, which means that there will be some negative months," said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. "Connecticut is still on track to show positive job growth for 2025 as a whole, but at a slower pace than last year. This is consistent with national trends. Over the first nine months of 2025, national job growth has been less than half the growth posted in the first nine months of 2024."

Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)
Connecticut's Private Sector employment was also down by 5,700 positions (-0.4%) in September 2025 to 1,477,900 and is now up by just 3,500 jobs (0.2%) from the September 2024 level. August's preliminary private sector gain of 1,200 jobs was adjusted lower by 400 to an 800 gain. The total government supersector was unchanged (0.0%) in September at a level of 236,200 jobs and is now higher by 1,000 (0.4%) positions over the year. Connecticut's combined government supersector consists of all civilian federal, state, local, and tribal government employment, including public education and Native American casino jobs located on federally recognized tribal reservations.

Four of the ten major industry supersectors gained jobs or were unchanged in September 2025, while six supersectors declined.

The four industry supersectors that increased employment or held steady in September 2025 included:

The six industry supersectors that decreased in jobs in September 2025 were:


NONFARM  EMPLOYMENT
Jobs - by Place of Work
CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted
September August July June September Over Month Over Year
 2025 P 2025 R 2025 2025 2024 Change Rate   Change  Rate  
CONNECTICUT 1,714,100 1,719,800 1,719,300 1,718,500 1,709,600 -5,700 -0.3% 4,500 0.3%
Total Private 1,477,900 1,483,600 1,482,800 1,482,300 1,474,400 -5,700 -0.4% 3,500 0.2%
Goods Producing Industries
  Mining 500 500 500 500 500 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
  Construction   63,000 62,400 62,700 63,000 63,700 600 1.0%   -700 -1.1%
  Manufacturing 153,200 153,500 152,900 153,100 155,600 -300 -0.2% -2,400 -1.5%
    Durable Goods   120,800 120,700 119,800 120,000 122,100 100 0.1%   -1,300 -1.1%
    Nondurable Goods 32,400 32,800 33,100 33,100 33,500 -400 -1.2% -1,100 -3.3%
Service Providing Industries
  Trade, Transportation & Utilities 296,800 298,500 298,900 299,000 298,300 -1,700 -0.6%   -1,500 -0.5%
    Wholesale 61,200 61,800 61,900 62,500 61,000 -600 -1.0% 200 0.3%
    Retail     162,600 162,900 163,300 162,900 165,000 -300 -0.2%   -2,400 -1.5%
    Transp, Warehousing & Utilities 73,000 73,800 73,700 73,600 72,300 -800 -1.1% 700 1.0%
  Information   30,800 31,000 31,300 30,900 30,800 -200 -0.6%   0 0.0%
  Financial Activities 118,400 120,100 120,000 119,500 117,400 -1,700 -1.4% 1,000 0.9%
    Finance & Insurance   98,600 100,000 99,900 99,600 97,900 -1,400 -1.4%   700 0.7%
    Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 19,800 20,100 20,100 19,900 19,500 -300 -1.5% 300 1.5%
  Professional & Business Services 222,900 223,500 223,900 222,100 221,300 -600 -0.3%   1,600 0.7%
    Prof, Scientific & Tech Services 104,200 103,900 103,600 102,300 101,400 300 0.3% 2,800 2.8%
    Management of Companies  30,900 31,000 31,000 31,000 31,200 -100 -0.3%   -300 -1.0%
    Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv 87,800 88,600 89,300 88,800 88,700 -800 -0.9% -900 -1.0%
  Educational & Health Services 371,300 373,100 371,800 372,400 368,900 -1,800 -0.5%   2,400 0.7%
    Private Educational Services 73,700 73,800 73,800 73,500 74,400 -100 -0.1% -700 -0.9%
    Health Care & Social Assistance 297,600 299,300 298,000 298,900 294,500 -1,700 -0.6%   3,100 1.1%
  Leisure and Hospitality 156,000 156,000 156,200 157,500 154,400 0 0.0% 1,600 1.0%
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 28,800 28,700 28,500 28,400 28,800 100 0.3%   0 0.0%
    Accommodation & Food Services 127,200 127,300 127,700 129,100 125,600 -100 -0.1% 1,600 1.3%
  Other Services   65,000 65,000 64,600 64,300 63,500 0 0.0%   1,500 2.4%
  Government** 236,200 236,200 236,500 236,200 235,200 0 0.0% 1,000 0.4%
UNITED STATES  159,626,000 159,507,000 159,511,000 159,439,000 158,314,000 119,000 0.1% 1,312,000 0.8%
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Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): All five of the major Connecticut LMAs (the 5 Metros formed from the CT Councils of Governments or COG regions) that are seasonally adjusted by the BLS (about 93.7% coverage of the state) posted nonfarm industry payroll losses in September 2025. The Waterbury-Shelton LMA (-1.0%, 160,900) led in the monthly percentage decrease and in numeric decline - losing 1,700 jobs. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury LMA (-0.3%, 411,200) dropped 1,200 positions and the New Haven LMA (-0.2%, 295,000) lost 500 jobs. The large Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA (-0.1%, 611,200) cut 400 positions while the Norwich-New London-Willimantic LMA (-0.2%, 128,000) declined 200 payrolls.

LABOR MARKET AREAS (LMAs, COG-based)
 
Labor Market Area employment estimates are made independently of Statewide estimates.
Seasonally Adjusted data (Metros) September August July June September Over Month Over Year
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (5 CT MSAs)  2025 P 2025 R 2025 2025 2024 Change Rate   Change Rate  
  Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury 411,200 412,400 412,300 411,200 407,900 -1,200 -0.3%   3,300 0.8%  
  Hartford 611,200 611,600 611,200 609,900 607,000 -400 -0.1% 4,200 0.7%
  New Haven   295,000 295,500 296,100 295,600 292,800 -500 -0.2%   2,200 0.8%  
  Norwich-New London-Willimantic  128,000 128,200 128,700 128,800 127,600 -200 -0.2% 400 0.3%
  Waterbury - Shelton 160,900 162,600 162,700 162,800 161,400 -1,700 -1.0%   -500 -0.3%  
Not Seasonally Adjusted data (Non-Classified Areas, 2 Micropolitan Statistical Areas - Micros, State estimated - not BLS)
  Putnam - Northeastern 29,000 29,100 28,800 29,200 28,600 -100 -0.3%   400 1.4%  
  Torrington - Northwest Hills  38,500 38,700 38,800 38,700 38,100 -200 -0.5% 400 1.0%
* Less than 0.05%       ** Includes Native American tribal government employment          P = Preliminary R = Revised
Starting in March, 2011, our monthly statewide and major LMA nonfarm job estimates have been taken over by the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.  This is the final phase of transition in this program, which began in 2008.  As a result of changes in the estimation procedures, you are likely to see more variability in month-to-month estimates of job counts.  Caution should be used in interpreting any single month’s estimate.  The data are best interpreted to identify trends and cycles over several months and quarters.  If you have any questions about these changes, please email us at: dol.lmi@ct.gov.  COG - Council of Government regions.
Connecticut Labor Situation                            September 2025 January 2009

Note: The new five major Connecticut LMAs are independently estimated from the statewide data by the BLS and cover over 93% of the nonfarm employment in the state. As a result, estimates will not exactly sum to the statewide total. Furthermore, monthly Seasonal Adjustment (SA) on these 5 new designated COG-based labor markets may undergo some shifting seasonality effects due to the concurrent seasonal process exaggerating some movements on the new geographies due to the lack of more precise historical seasonal factors (because the metros are new).

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Hours and Earnings: The September 2025 Private Sector average work week, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.8 hours (AWH). This is down one-tenth of an hour from the September 2024 average (-0.3%, 33.9). Average hourly earnings (AHE) at $39.24 in September 2025, not seasonally adjusted, were up by $0.97 (2.5%) from the September 2024 average estimate of $38.27. The resultant September 2025 private sector average weekly earnings (AWE = AWH x AHE) were estimated at $1,326.31, higher by $28.96 (2.2%) from a year ago ($1,297.35). The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, not seasonally adjusted - all items index) for September 2025 was up 3.0% from a year ago.
   AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS    AVG WEEKLY HOURS   AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
Sep CHG Aug             Sep CHG Aug               Sep CHG Aug
(Not seasonally adjusted) 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025
PRODUCTION WORKER                        
MANUFACTURING $1,197.96 $1,222.24 -$24.28 $1,178.00 40.9 38.9 2.0 40.0 $29.29 $31.42 -$2.13 $29.45
 DURABLE GOODS 1,221.06 1,277.49 -56.43 1,205.52 39.8 38.1 1.7 38.8 30.68 33.53 -2.85 31.07
 NON-DUR. GOODS 1,129.40 1,062.55 66.85 1,097.51 44.1 41.2 2.9 43.5 25.61 25.79 -0.18 25.23
CONSTRUCTION 1,543.69 1,532.30 11.39 1,576.77 39.4 38.5 0.9 39.0 39.18 39.80 -0.62 40.43
                   
ALL EMPLOYEES                        
STATEWIDE                  
TOTAL PRIVATE 1,326.31 1,297.35 28.96 1,309.73 33.8 33.9 -0.1 33.6 39.24 38.27 0.97 38.98
GOODS PRODUCING 1,566.39 1,538.21 28.18 1,550.29 38.6 39.2 -0.6 38.1 40.58 39.24 1.34 40.69
   Construction 1,591.59 1,552.80 38.79 1,609.58 37.1 37.3 -0.2 36.9 42.90 41.63 1.27 43.62
   Manufacturing 1,486.53 1,501.63 -15.10 1,476.42 39.8 39.6 0.2 39.1 37.35 37.92 -0.57 37.76
SERVICE PROVIDING 1,285.68 1,256.31 29.37 1,267.06 33.0 33.0 0.0 32.8 38.96 38.07 0.89 38.63
   Trade, Transp., Utilities 1,064.36 1,008.29 56.07 1,064.71 32.8 32.4 0.4 32.7 32.45 31.12 1.33 32.56
   Financial Activities 2,248.37 2,212.74 35.63 2,240.18 37.2 38.0 -0.8 37.2 60.44 58.23 2.21 60.22
   Prof. & Business Serv. 1,638.58 1,639.82 -1.24 1,619.09 36.1 36.4 -0.3 35.9 45.39 45.05 0.34 45.10
   Education & Health Ser. 1,214.09 1,142.63 71.46 1,200.47 33.4 32.6 0.8 33.3 36.35 35.05 1.30 36.05
   Leisure & Hospitality 641.42 621.31 20.11 627.97 26.0 26.7 -0.7 25.8 24.67 23.27 1.40 24.34
   Other Services 822.69 874.90 -52.21 814.38 27.7 29.3 -1.6 27.7 29.70 29.86 -0.16 29.40
LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE                
   Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury 1,388.10 1,337.99 50.11 1,339.47 33.4 33.3 0.1 33.0 41.56 40.18 1.38 40.59
   Hartford-W.Hartford-E.Hartford 1,291.59 1,344.63 -53.04 1,287.68 33.9 34.7 -0.8 33.7 38.10 38.75 -0.65 38.21
   New Haven 1,250.94 1,234.13 16.81 1,247.91 33.8 33.6 0.2 33.7 37.01 36.73 0.28 37.03
   Norwich-New London-Willimantic 1,141.20 1,130.82 10.38 1,145.01 31.7 32.3 -0.6 32.1 36.00 35.01 0.99 35.67
   Waterbury-Shelton 1,189.21 1,116.22 72.99 1,177.52 34.4 33.3 1.1 34.3 34.57 33.52 1.05 34.33

Note: Current all-employee private sector hours and earnings estimates can be volatile due to fluctuating sample responses..
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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, after rising 0.4 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.

Note that September CPI data collection was completed before the lapse in appropriations. The index for gasoline rose 4.1 percent in September and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase, as the index for energy rose 1.5 percent over the month. The food index increased 0.2 percent over the month as the food at home index rose 0.3 percent and the food away from home index increased 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in September, after rising 0.3 percent in each of the 2 preceding months. Indexes that increased over the month include shelter, airline fares, recreation, household furnishings and operations, and apparel. The indexes for motor vehicle insurance, used cars and trucks, and communication were among the few major indexes that decreased in September.

The all items index rose 3.0 percent for the 12 months ending September, after rising 2.9 percent over the 12 months ending August. The all items less food and energy index also rose 3.0 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 2.8 percent for the 12 months ending September. The food index increased 3.1 percent over the last year.


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 State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate
The preliminary September 2025 unemployment rate for Connecticut was estimated by the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program (LAUS) to be 3.8% (seasonally adjusted). This is unchanged for five months in a row. CT's unemployment rate is up six-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago (3.2%).
Month 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons CT U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons
Jan  5.3 4.8 -0.5 4.6 4.7 0.1 4.2 4.0 -0.2 3.7 4.0 0.3 3.8 3.6 -0.2 7.2 6.4 -0.8 4.8 4.0 -0.8 3.4 3.5 0.1 3.3 3.7 0.4 3.3 4.0 0.7
Feb  5.2 4.9 -0.3 4.5 4.6 0.1 4.2 4.1 -0.1 3.6 3.8 0.2 3.8 3.5 -0.3 7.2 6.2 -1.0 4.6 3.8 -0.8 3.3 3.6 0.3 3.2 3.9 0.7 3.4 4.1 0.7
Mar  5.1 5.0 -0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.1 4.0 -0.1 3.5 3.8 0.3 3.9 4.4 0.5 7.2 6.1 -1.1 4.4 3.7 -0.7 3.2 3.5 0.3 3.2 3.9 0.7 3.6 4.2 0.6
Apr  5.0 5.1 0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.0 4.0 0.0 3.5 3.7 0.2 8.3 14.8 6.5 7.2 6.1 -1.1 4.3 3.7 -0.6 3.1 3.4 0.3 3.1 3.9 0.8 3.7 4.2 0.5
May  5.0 4.8 -0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 3.9 3.8 -0.1 3.5 3.6 0.1 11.9 13.2 1.3 7.0 5.8 -1.2 4.2 3.6 -0.6 3.1 3.6 0.5 3.1 4.0 0.9 3.8 4.2 0.4
Jun  4.9 4.9 0.0 4.4 4.3 -0.1 3.9 4.0 0.1 3.5 3.6 0.1 11.5 11.0 -0.5 7.0 5.9 -1.1 4.0 3.6 -0.4 3.0 3.6 0.6 3.1 4.1 1.0 3.8 4.1 0.3
Jul  4.8 4.8 0.0 4.4 4.3 -0.1 3.8 3.8 0.0 3.5 3.7 0.2 11.7 10.2 -1.5 6.6 5.4 -1.2 3.9 3.5 -0.4 3.1 3.5 0.4 3.1 4.2 1.1 3.8 4.2 0.4
Aug  4.7 4.9 0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 3.8 3.8 0.0 3.6 3.6 0.0 9.6 8.4 -1.2 6.3 5.1 -1.2 3.7 3.6 -0.1 3.1 3.7 0.6 3.2 4.2 1.0 3.8 4.3 0.5
Sep  4.7 5.0 0.3 4.3 4.3 0.0 3.8 3.7 -0.1 3.6 3.5 -0.1 8.8 7.8 -1.0 5.9 4.7 -1.2 3.7 3.5 -0.2 3.2 3.8 0.6 3.2 4.1 0.9 3.8 4.4 0.6
Oct  4.6 4.9 0.3 4.3 4.2 -0.1 3.7 3.8 0.1 3.6 3.6 0.0 7.9 6.9 -1.0 5.6 4.5 -1.1 3.7 3.6 -0.1 3.3 3.9 0.6 3.2 4.1 0.9
Nov  4.6 4.7 0.1 4.3 4.2 -0.1 3.7 3.8 0.1 3.7 3.6 -0.1 7.5 6.7 -0.8 5.3 4.2 -1.1 3.6 3.6 0.0 3.3 3.7 0.4 3.2 4.2 1.0
Dec  4.6 4.7 0.1 4.3 4.1 -0.2 3.7 3.9 0.2 3.7 3.6 -0.1 7.4 6.7 -0.7 5.0 3.9 -1.1 3.5 3.5 0.0 3.3 3.8 0.5 3.2 4.1 0.9

The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value.

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 Labor Force / Residents Employed / Residents Unemployed
Average weekly initial unemployment claims (not seasonally adjusted) for first-time filers (AWIC) in Connecticut for August 2025 were 4,066. This is 1,168 (40.3%) claims higher than July 2025 (2,898) and higher by 1,286 claims (46.3%) than the August 2024 (2,780) level.
Month  2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.		 Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.		 Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.		 Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.		 Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.		 Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.		 Labor
Force		 Resident
Emp.		 Resident
Unemp.
Jan   1,928.9 1,858.3 70.6 1,938.8 1,865.6 73.3 1,811.7 1,680.9 130.8 1,952.9 1,859.1 93.8 1,905.2 1,840.3 64.9 1,926.9 1,863.3 63.6 1,957.3 1,893.4 63.8
Feb   1,928.1 1,858.6 69.5 1,933.3 1,858.9 74.4 1,809.0 1,678.7 130.2 1,948.9 1,860.0 88.9 1,905.5 1,842.7 62.8 1,929.7 1,867.2 62.5 1,957.1 1,890.7 66.4
Mar   1,927.2 1,859.0 68.2 1,927.1 1,851.7 75.4 1,807.6 1,678.0 129.6 1,944.4 1,859.6 84.8 1,906.3 1,845.3 61.0 1,933.0 1,871.5 61.4 1,956.4 1,886.9 69.5
Apr   1,927.0 1,859.8 67.2 1,830.8 1,678.9 151.9 1,808.7 1,678.3 130.4 1,940.4 1,857.6 82.8 1,907.5 1,848.0 59.5 1,936.4 1,875.6 60.8 1,960.1 1,888.0 72.2
May   1,928.0 1,861.3 66.7 1,905.1 1,679.3 225.8 1,806.6 1,679.6 127.0 1,934.9 1,854.3 80.6 1,909.0 1,850.5 58.5 1,939.9 1,879.4 60.5 1,960.2 1,885.9 74.3
Jun   1,930.2 1,863.4 66.9 1,896.4 1,678.4 218.0 1,828.9 1,701.8 127.1 1,927.7 1,849.7 78.0 1,911.1 1,853.0 58.1 1,943.0 1,882.4 60.5 1,956.5 1,882.7 73.8
Jul   1,933.2 1,865.4 67.8 1,905.1 1,682.8 222.3 1,845.4 1,723.3 122.1 1,919.6 1,844.6 75.0 1,913.8 1,855.2 58.6 1,946.1 1,885.1 60.9 1,954.0 1,879.8 74.2
Aug   1,936.3 1,867.3 68.9 1,864.0 1,685.3 178.7 1,863.2 1,745.5 117.7 1,911.6 1,840.2 71.5 1,916.3 1,856.6 59.7 1,949.5 1,888.0 61.5 1,949.9 1,876.7 73.3
Sep   1,939.2 1,869.4 69.8 1,852.5 1,689.0 163.5 1,878.9 1,767.3 111.6 1,908.9 1,837.4 71.5 1,918.5 1,857.3 61.3 1,952.8 1,890.8 62.0 1,944.5 1,870.5 74.0
Oct   1,941.6 1,871.0 70.5 1,833.0 1,688.5 144.5 1,897.6 1,790.5 107.2 1,907.0 1,836.3 70.7 1,920.5 1,857.8 62.7 1,955.4 1,893.0 62.4
Nov   1,943.0 1,871.6 71.3 1,824.6 1,687.0 137.6 1,915.0 1,813.5 101.5 1,905.8 1,836.6 69.2 1,922.4 1,858.7 63.7 1,955.9 1,893.4 62.5
Dec   1,942.2 1,869.9 72.3 1,819.8 1,684.2 135.6 1,934.2 1,836.5 97.6 1,905.4 1,838.2 67.1 1,924.5 1,860.4 64.1 1,955.6 1,893.2 62.5
The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value.
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Next Connecticut Labor Situation release: Tuesday, January 6th, 2025 (Preliminary October-November 2025 data)
State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109
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